Europe – Protests and Civil Unrest, October 2026

Travel Alert | Prepared 20 October 2026

Civil unrest and protests are affecting several European countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania. While the demonstrations have different causes in each country, many reflect concerns about rising living costs, housing affordability, education, public services and government policies.

Protests began in France in mid-September 2026, with demonstrations also occurring in other European countries. Although many demonstrations have remained peaceful, some have escalated into violent clashes, property damage and significant disruption.

While these demonstrations are not considered a single coordinated movement, unrest across parts of Europe continues to develop and may result in further travel disruptions.

In France, the protests escalated significantly on 17 October, with violence reported in Paris and other major cities. Authorities have introduced additional public safety measures, including localised curfews, and some Paris Metro stations have been temporarily closed during demonstrations.

How could travel arrangements be affected?

• Temporary road closures and restricted access to public areas.
• Disruption to metro, rail and other public transport services.
• Increased security measures and localised restrictions.
• Delays reaching airports, train stations or accommodation.
• Changes to tours, sightseeing and other pre-booked arrangements.

Further demonstrations may occur with little notice. Travellers should monitor local conditions and confirm arrangements directly with travel providers.

Australian Government travel advice

As at 20 October 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in France.

Travellers should avoid demonstrations, follow local authorities’ directions and check Smartraveller’s France advice and guidance on protests and civil unrest.

How does Go Insurance respond?

Go Insurance policies may provide cover for certain unexpected disruptions involving riots, strikes and civil unrest, depending on the terms, conditions, exclusions and selected benefits of the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) applicable to the policy.

Important information about known events

Protests and civil unrest in France were occurring and publicly reported before this alert was prepared on 20 October 2026. Go Insurance policies contain exclusions for circumstances that already existed, were known or were reasonably foreseeable when travel was booked or insurance purchased. These exclusions apply in accordance with the policy, regardless of when Go publishes an alert.

The significant escalation on 17 October is being considered in the context of the unrest already underway in France. Claims involving genuinely new and unforeseeable events require individual assessment.

Policies purchased before 9:01am AEST on 7 October 2026

For policyholders whose insurance and relevant travel arrangements were in place before the circumstances giving rise to a claim became known or reasonably foreseeable, the following benefits may respond:

Disruption after departure

• Section 1 – Cancellation & Curtailment: May provide benefits for eligible additional expenses or unused travel arrangements if civil unrest prevents pre-booked travel from proceeding, where the relevant module is included.
• Section 10 – Delayed Travel and Missed Connections: May provide benefits for qualifying delays to scheduled public transport, subject to the relevant conditions and selected Disruption module. This benefit is not available under Go Basic.

Travellers should seek available refunds, credits or alternative arrangements from providers before incurring expenses and retain evidence of their original bookings, the disruption and any additional costs. The same loss cannot be recovered twice.

Automatic policy extension

If a traveller is unable to return home before their policy expires because of circumstances beyond their control, an automatic extension of up to 21 days may apply under the relevant PDS. This does not automatically reimburse additional accommodation or travel costs.

Disruption before departure

Section 1 – Cancellation & Curtailment may respond if an insured event necessarily and unavoidably prevents pre-booked travel or causes qualifying disruption. Examples potentially relevant to this unrest include provider-imposed cancellations or restrictions because of riots or civil commotion and civil unrest preventing booked travel.

Eligible benefits may include alternative travel or amendment expenses or certain irrecoverable costs, as specified in the applicable PDS. Travellers should first contact providers about refunds and alternatives.

Policies purchased on or after 9:01am AEST on 7 October 2026

By 7 October 2026, the French unrest was already publicly reported, and disruption to public transport had occurred. Claims arising from the known and reasonably foreseeable consequences of the ongoing unrest are anticipated not to be covered where the relevant known-event exclusions apply.

This can include a trip booked before the unrest but insured after the circumstances became known or reasonably foreseeable. Each claim requires consideration of the actual cause of loss, event chronology, booking and insurance purchase dates, and applicable policy wording.

A genuinely new and unforeseeable event may require separate consideration. This proposed French unrest reference time should not be applied automatically to separate protests elsewhere in Europe.

Medical emergencies

Eligible unexpected injury or illness overseas may be considered under Section 3 – Overseas Medical Expenses & Repatriation, subject to the policy terms. The policy excludes claims arising from participation in civil commotions or riots. Avoid demonstrations and seek urgent medical treatment if necessary.

Choosing not to travel

Concerns about travelling do not generally trigger standard cancellation benefits on their own. Customers who purchased an eligible Go Ultra policy with the optional Cancel For Your Reason (CFYR) extension may have additional cancellation options, subject to its requirements and limits.

What should affected travellers do?

1. Monitor local media and official travel advisories.
2. Avoid demonstrations and follow police and local authority instructions.
3. Confirm flights, trains and other arrangements with providers.
4. Request refunds, rescheduling or alternative travel before incurring additional costs.
5. Keep evidence of cancellations, delays, bookings and additional expenses.
6. Contact Go Insurance if you need assistance with a possible claim.

Frequently asked questions